The History of Oxford’s Women

Join us for this walking tour, where we will trace the long history of Oxford's women, though largely concentrating on the last two centuries and their fight for the right to study, vote and take their place equal to the men in the City and University of Oxford. 

The known history of Oxford’s women starts with its Anglo-Saxon saint, a girl who didn’t want to marry and had to escape to the woods and wait for a miracle before realising her dream of devoting her life to God rather than a husband. We next meet a queen besieged in the castle by her male cousin. She too defiantly escapes but ultimately gives up her throne.   

For centuries completely ignored by a University which didn’t permit its members to marry unless they were college heads, wives and daughters and women in general only existed amongst the townspeople. Even here, they played supporting roles in the patriarchal society of the day and we occasionally hear of them as murder victims or perpetrators, prostitutes or laundresses. Gradually and at the cost of much effort, they emerge into the light in the 19th century, finally winning the right to study and in the 20th century to graduate, vote and hold high office.     

Please note: this event will close to enrolments at 23:59 GMT on 3 March 2027.